City Comparison
Orono vs Gorham
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Gorham scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Orono
Gorham
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Orono is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Gorham.
| Metric | Orono | Gorham | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,800 | -3% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,680 | $2,750 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 108 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gorham offers 15% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Gorham delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Orono is estimated at
$52,000 vs $60,000 in Gorham.
| Metric | Orono | Gorham |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,528 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,766 idx | 66,667 idx |
| Household Income | $59,784 | $112,312 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Orono sees 0.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Orono | Gorham |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 45.70°F | 47.40°F |
| Summer High | 78.30°F | 79.10°F |
| Winter Low | 10.60°F | 13.00°F |
| Rainfall | 39.20 in | 39.00 in |
| Snowfall | 44.20 in | 43.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | 254 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Orono has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,500 minutes (142 hours) per year compared to Gorham.
Orono scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Orono leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Orono | Gorham |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gorham is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Orono.
From a growth perspective, Gorham is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Gorham has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Orono | Gorham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,250 | 19,895 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 3.41% |
| Median Age | 21.7 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 2.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Orono
Advantages
Median property value in Orono is significantly lower than the national average, providing accessible homeownership options per Data USA 2024.
The town boasts an active New England village downtown with robust walkability and local dining per Census Bureau data.
Extensive recreational trail systems and river access offer exceptional outdoor activities year-round.
Proximity to the University of Maine provides rich cultural, athletic, and educational events for residents.
Crime rates remain well below national averages, ensuring a secure environment for families and students.
Drawbacks
The local poverty rate is elevated due to the large concentration of students with low reported individual incomes per Census Bureau profiles.
Severe winter weather with heavy snowfall requires high heating costs and winter maintenance overhead.
Rental inventory can experience tight seasonal demand fluctuations tied to the academic calendar.
Job diversification outside of education and public services is relatively limited locally.
Public transit options beyond regional connections to Bangor are sparse for destinations outside the immediate area.
Gorham
Advantages
Median household income in Gorham is robust at $112,312, comfortably outperforming the national average per Census data.
The town boasts a high homeownership rate of roughly 78.8%, reflecting neighborhood stability and community investment.
Gorham maintains low crime rates and a family-friendly profile significantly safer than national norms.
Proximity to the University of Southern Maine infuses the town with cultural events, college athletics, and educational resources.
Abundant outdoor recreational access, including the Presumpscot River and local trail networks.
Drawbacks
Median property values have climbed past $500,000, presenting affordability hurdles for first-time home buyers.
Average rent prices remain elevated, driven by high regional demand across Cumberland County.
Car dependency is high, with limited public mass transit options connecting outlying hamlets.
Average commute times can stretch past 30 minutes during peak hours for workers heading into Portland.
Inventory constraints in the local housing market limit choices for prospective movers.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Orono
#202Maine, USA
63.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$61,528
Cost Index
95
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
64.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
45.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
76
Business
68
Gorham
#33Maine, USA
71.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
254/yr
Avg Temp
47.40°F
Pop. Growth
3.41%
Unemployment
2.40%
Livability
80
Business
72
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Orono and Gorham.
Open Cost Calculator